Lees-McRae College vs. Malone University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Malone University in Canton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Malone University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,256 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Malone University is in Canton, OH (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Malone University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Malone University 14:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Malone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Malone University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Malone University than Lees-McRae College ($22,390 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Malone University are 25% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,400 vs. $15,200).
• Malone University is 11.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $3,910 more per year; $37,160.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Malone University than at Lees McRae College (about $3,910 more per year; $37,160.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Malone University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Malone University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($27,261 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Malone University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Malone University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Malone University and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 80 points higher than at Malone University (1060).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Malone University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Malone University 930/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Malone University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Malone University - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Malone University (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 23.1% at Malone University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Malone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Malone University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Malone University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Malone University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $4,819 lower median loan debt than Malone University graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,819).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Malone University graduates ($206 vs. $256).
• More Malone University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.